A Five-Ingredient Nutritional Supplement and Home-Based Resistance Exercise Improve Lean Mass and Strength in Free-Living Elderly

Nutrients. 2020 Aug 10;12(8):2391. doi: 10.3390/nu12082391.

Abstract

Old age is associated with lower physical activity levels, suboptimal protein intake, and desensitization to anabolic stimuli, predisposing for age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia). Although resistance exercise (RE) and protein supplementation partially protect against sarcopenia under controlled conditions, the efficacy of home-based, unsupervised RE (HBRE) and multi-ingredient supplementation (MIS) is largely unknown. In this randomized, placebo-controlled and double-blind trial, we examined the effects of HBRE/MIS on muscle mass, strength, and function in free-living, older men. Thirty-two sedentary men underwent twelve weeks of home-based resistance band training (3 d/week), in combination with daily intake of a novel five-nutrient supplement ('Muscle5'; M5, n = 16, 77.4 ± 2.8 y) containing whey, micellar casein, creatine, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids, or an isocaloric/isonitrogenous placebo (PLA; n = 16, 74.4 ± 1.3 y), containing collagen and sunflower oil. Appendicular and total lean mass (ASM; +3%, TLM; +2%), lean mass to fat ratios (ASM/% body fat; +6%, TLM/% body fat; +5%), maximal strength (grip; +8%, leg press; +17%), and function (5-Times Sit-to-Stand time; -9%) were significantly improved in the M5 group following HBRE/MIS therapy (pre vs. post tests; p < 0.05). Fast-twitch muscle fiber cross-sectional areas of the quadriceps muscle were also significantly increased in the M5 group post intervention (Type IIa; +30.9%, Type IIx, +28.5%, p < 0.05). Sub-group analysis indicated even greater gains in total lean mass in sarcopenic individuals following HBRE/MIS therapy (TLM; +1.65 kg/+3.4%, p < 0.05). We conclude that the Muscle5 supplement is a safe, well-tolerated, and effective complement to low-intensity, home-based resistance exercise and improves lean mass, strength, and overall muscle quality in old age.

Keywords: COVID-19; creatine; multi-ingredient supplement; omega-3; randomized clinical trial; resistance exercise; sarcopenia; vitamin D; whey.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anabolic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Body Composition*
  • Body Fluid Compartments
  • Caseins / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Creatine / therapeutic use
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Exercise
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Muscle Fibers, Fast-Twitch
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Muscle Strength*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology*
  • Quadriceps Muscle
  • Resistance Training*
  • Sarcopenia / physiopathology
  • Sarcopenia / therapy*
  • Self Care
  • Vitamin D / therapeutic use
  • Vitamins
  • Whey Proteins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anabolic Agents
  • Caseins
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Vitamins
  • Whey Proteins
  • Vitamin D
  • Creatine